Evergreen High SchoolInstrumental Music Completes Great Year

Evergreen High School's Instrumental Music Department isfinishing one of its most successful years ever. Director Michelle Knight, in just her second year at the school, believes the program established many milestones in 2008-09. Among the highlights were a successful marching season in the fall, great performances by individual students at county and state competitions and expansion of the program both in numbers of participants and number of performing groups.

This was the first year EHS has had enough students to create two concert bands, enhance membership in the string orchestra and have its jazz band host the first ever Mountain Area Collaborative Jazz Concert.The marching band boasted 80 members."The program has doubled in size this year. A lot of that is due to Missy Calkin, band teacher at the Evergreen Middle School. We were less than a point from going to state in the marching competition, but more importantly, the kids felt a real successin the quality of their performances."

Band members distinguished themselves at individual competitions. Anna Bowes, who is just a freshman, earned a place in the Top of the Nation Honor Band for her prowess on the clarinet. Cellist Roxanne Tutchton was named to the All-State Orchestra. Flutists Holly Garrod and Kaylin Landwere named to the All-State Band as was percussionist Justin Floyd. Garrod was named to the all-county band and violin players Brittany Schaeffner and Melissa Karres and cellist Caitlin Rinehardt were named to the all-county orchestra.

EHS students excelled at the Mile High Jazz Festival in February. Freshman Brendon Warren earned the Outstanding Musicianshipaward. Seamus O'Tool, Max Blaustein and Matthew Williamson earned Outstanding Soloist awards for tenor saxophone, trombone and alto saxophone respectively. Additionally, EHS had its largest contingent ever at the solo and ensemble competition and came home with seven superior and five excellent ratings.

Another milestone was the establishment of the school's first instrumental music booster club that will allow parents, students and community partners to have a more organized presence and provide support students need to succeed. The club is having its first fundraisers in May. Students will sell candy, caramel popcorn and other food items and t-shirts with EHS's fight song on the back at Safeway from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. May 2nd and at King Soopers from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. May 9th. The club is looking for sponsorships for its upcoming season. If you or your company are interested contact Garry Moore at 303-679-0476. Donations to the instrumental music program are always appreciated and can be made at either of these events or can be sent to the school.

The program made progress in updating equipment this year.With help from new EHS principal Matt Walsh, the band was able to replace its duct-taped sousaphones with two brand new replacements and the school's marching percussion will bereplaced with funds from a grant from the Ryan Briggs Memorial Foundation.

There are still several opportunities to see EHS performances this spring.The orchestra will perform at 7:00 p.m. May 14th. A band concert, with performances by the jazz band, symphonic band and wind ensemble, will be May 21st, also at 7pm. Both concerts are free andopen to the public and will be in the school's auditorium. The band will also play at graduationMay 23 at Red Rocks.

Knight and her students are already looking forward to next year. Marching season is just around the corner and the 2009 show is called Apocalypse. Mini camp will be June 24th and band camp will take place the week of August 3.

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